Copyright forms for songwriters are available in the Music Department and in the Government Publications Department. Copyright Forms are also available online from the U.S. Copyright Office website.

Note: The U.S. Copyright Office forms must be printed on BOTH sides of a single sheet of paper to be accepted.

2. How do I copyright a name, title, slogan or logo?

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office at (800) 786-9199 for further information. However, copyright protection may be available for logo art work that contains sufficient authorship. In some circumstances, an artistic logo may also be protected as a trademark.

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office Trademark FAQ

3. Where can I find basic information about copyrights?

The Library of Congress publishes a series of Copyright Circulars that are intended to address and answer all issues and questions related to Copyright. The Government Publications Department has the Circulars on file in paper format.

Source: United States Copyright Office homepage

4. What can I do if I have a copyright question that is not answered here?

The Copyright Office has a Frequently Asked Questions file that will answer questions that are not answered here. You may also call the Copyright Office at 1-877-476-0778.

Source: United States Copyright Office

5. Where can I find copyright forms?

Copyright forms are available on the Copyright Office Web site, and in the Government Publications Department.

Source: United States Copyright Office homepage

6. Does the Government Publications Department have Copyright forms that I can take with me and fill out?

The Government Publications Department has forms and instructions available for TX, SR, PA, VA and CA forms. If you are registering a basic claim, you may be interested in filing electronically, which is cheaper and faster than paper filing.

7. What is the difference between copyright form SR and form PA?

These forms are for registering two different types of copyrightable subject matter that may be embodied in a recording. Form PA is used for the registration of music and/or lyrics (as well as other works of the performing arts). Form SR is used for registering a particular performance and production of a sound recording. See Circular 50 and Circular 56a.

The copyright law of the United States in incorporated in Title 17 of the United States Code. The Copyright Law page of the Copyright Office site has Title 17 and summarizes recent changes in copyright law. The Government Publications Department has the United States Code in print.

Source: United States Copyright Office

10. Do I need to register with the Copyright Office to have copyright protection?

No, copyright registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, section Copyright Registration.